Greendoor - Pimenta da Neyde – Chili Seeds

• Permanently dark: The fruits and the entire plant retain their spectacular purple-black colour throughout the season.
• Unique appearance: With its dark foliage and almost black fruits, it is perhaps the most elegant variety for the garden and balcony.
• Botanical mystery: Although it is usually classified as Capsicum chinense, it displays characteristics that suggest a spontaneous cross.

Plant characteristics

The plant is a true aristocrat in the chilli bed:

• Growth habit: Grows very vigorously, upright, and can develop into a stately bush. The branches are deep violet, almost black.
• Height: Easily reaches 80 to 120 cm. It is very vigorous and robust.
• Leaves: In direct sunlight, the leaves take on a beautiful dark violet hue – the more sun, the darker the plant.
• Flowers: White with a delicate violet edge or violet stamens.

The fruit

The pods look almost as if they were made of polished gemstone:

• Shape: Oblong, smooth and about 4 to 6 cm long.
• Colour: A deep, glossy aubergine-violet to black. The fruits do not change colour as they ripen; readiness for harvest is better indicated by a diminishing sheen or by the fact that the inside of the fruit shimmers slightly reddish-violet when cut.
• Texture: Firm flesh and very crunchy.

Flavour & heat level

The Pimenta da Neyde is not for those who shy away from heat, but it impresses with a very distinctive aroma.

• Heat level: 8 to 9 (Very hot). On the Scoville scale, it ranges between 150,000 and 250,000 SHU.
• Aroma: It possesses the typical tropical aroma of a Chinense (such as the Habanero), combined with a unique, slightly tart and nutty note. Some describe the flavour as ‘dark’ and earthy.

Uses

Its colour and heat make it ideal for visually striking cuisine:

• Dark sauces: Gives sauces and salsas an extraordinary, dark colour.
• Drying: Produces a spectacular, almost black chilli powder.
• Fresh: Sliced into thin rings, it makes the perfect spicy garnish for light-coloured dishes (e.g. on goat’s cheese or fish).
• Ornamental plant: Due to its beauty, it is often grown purely as an ornamental plant – which is actually a shame given its fantastic flavour.

Technical details

• Species: Capsicum chinense (hybrid)
• Contents: 10+ seeds
• Heat level: 8–9 (Very hot)
• Sowing: January to March (requires a long growing season)
• Maturation time: approx. 90–110 days
• Location: Full sun! The plant only develops its extremely dark pigmentation fully when exposed to plenty of UV light.